Ellen DeGeneres is 'shocked' that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are not gay

There was a rumour back in the '90s that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were lovers because they wrote a film together…like that makes any sense?!

Now, 18 years later, Matt, 44, has been struck by another debate surrounding some comments he made about openly gay actors in Hollywood.

See Ellen DeGeneres getting to the bottom of the star's remarks in her characteristically direct way in the clip above.

It started when Matt told The Guardian recently that actors are more effective when audiences know less about their personalities.

"When Ben and I first came on the scene there were rumours that we were gay because it was two guys who wrote a script together," he told the publication.

"I know. It's just like any piece of gossip…and it put us in a weird position of having to answer, you know what I mean? Which was then really deeply offensive.

"I don't want to, like [imply] it's some sort of disease – then it's like I'm throwing my friends under the bus. But at the time, I remember thinking and saying, Rupert Everett was openly gay and this guy – more handsome than anybody, a classically trained actor – it's tough to make the argument that he didn't take a hit for being out."

The star, who has been married to wife Luciana since 2005, added to The Guardian that while attitudes are changing, it's still a real challenge for performers.

"I think it must be really hard for actors to be out publicly," he explained. "But in terms of actors, I think you're a better actor the less people know about you period. And sexuality is a huge part of that. Whether you're straight or gay, people shouldn't know anything about your sexuality because that's one of the mysteries that you should be able to play."